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St Martin’s Abbey Golf Course, Perth & Kinross. (1880s) 

The 17-hole course was laid out by Old Tom Morris in the Deer Park at St Martin’s five miles north west of Perth.

It was reported in the Aberdeen Journal of Thursday 22 November 1883 as follows “Colonel Macdonald Macdonald, with his usual munificence, has, with the help of Tom Morris, just laid out a most interesting and sporting green of seventeen holes in the beautiful Deer Park at St Martin’s Abbey. The green was formally opened on Thursday last” Amongst those present was Mr James Balfour, an enthusiastic golfer.

It was reported that a number of interesting matches took place on the course. On the Thursday and Saturday Colonel Macdonald and Mr Home took on Tom Morris and Mr D Maitland-Makgill Crichton, both matches were halved. Captain Dundas played Honeyman, the St Andrews professional. 

Further report on the course from the Dundee Advertiser Thursday 22 November 1883; “Tournament at St Martins Abbey – Golfing readers will be interested to learn that a new green has been provided for the exercise of their favourite pastime. Colonel Macdonald Macdonald has, with the help of Tom Morris, just laid out a fine green of 17 holes in the Deer Park at St Martin’s Abbey. The green was formally opened last week, when a number of gentlemen, on the invitation of the Colonel, met and engaged in a tournament. A number of interesting matches were played, perhaps the most interesting being Colonel Macdonald and Mr Home against Mr Makgill Crichton and Tom Morris, which was played on Thursday and again on Saturday, and on each occasion was halved. Captain Dundas played Honeyman, the St Andrews professional, receiving a half, and lost by two holes. It is intended, as on other greens, to have a spring and autumn meeting, probably in the first weeks of April and October when a cup to be presented by the Colonel will be competed for under handicap. It is the intention of the Colonel to throw the green open to te members of all recognised club, who will at any time be welcome on leaving their cards with the name of the club to which they belong at the Estate Office, St Martins Abbey. No doubt many golfers will avail themselves of the Colonel’s handsome invitation.”

 Full original report below.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Thursday 22 November 1883. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1890s showing St Martin’s and the Deer Park.

O.S. Map; Revised 1899; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1901}.